The American Legion World Series (ALWS) will present "Concert on the Corner, on Saturday, August 9, at the intersection of Warren and Lafayette Streets in Uptown Shelby.
John Michael Montgomery will headline the concert as part of his "Farewell Tour Performance." Montgomery takes the stage at 8:30 p.m. Best known for his uncanny ability to relate to fans and his rich baritone, John Michael's songs are part of the most memorable moments in people's lives.
His love songs, such as "I Swear," "I Love the Way You Love Me," and "I Can Love You Like That," still resonate across the landscape in wedding ceremonies, as well as being covered by pop artists alike. John Michael not only sings love songs, but also hits like "Be My Baby Tonight" and "Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)," which highlight his whimsical side, allowing the audience to try to follow along with the upbeat and fast lyrics.
John Michael has a long history of music in his family. In his early years, he performed in a band called Early Tymz with his brother Eddie Montgomery and their friend Troy Gentry. After branching out solo in the 1990s, his hits earned him the CMA Horizon award as well as the ACM's Top New Vocalist award. This set off a long series of awards that included the CMA's Single and Song of the Year, Billboard's Top Country Artist, and a Grammy nomination. When asked what he thinks gave him the edge in a career that calls millions but gives stardom to just a few, he thinks back to the legacy of his parents. "I reckon it was good genes and good blood!"
The night of entertainment begins with local artist Bailey Marie and her band at 5:30 p.m. Bailey is a singer/songwriter and national recording artist. She has performed across the country at legendary places such as the Apollo Theater in NYC and the Roxy in Hollywood. More recently, she performed at the Lovin' Life Music Fest in Charlotte as well as the Carolina Country Music Fest in Myrtle Beach.
At 6:45 p.m., rising country star and army veteran Scotty Hasting will take the stage to perform his heartfelt, story-driven songs. Despite only first picking up the guitar in 2020, Hasting has toured across the country opening for artists including Lee Brice, Dave Grohl, Kris Janson, Craigh Morgan, Jelly Roll, Tanya Tucker, Parmalee, and more.
Hasting narrowly escaped death after being shot ten times in Afghanistan. He is very vocal about his battle with PTSD and how songwriting and playing music bring him peace. Now on a mission to help anyone struggling with loss or their mental health find solace through music, Hasting strives to connect with his audience by producing music that does not need an explanation.
The event is free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy an evening of great family-friendly entertainment under the open sky in the heart of the city. Food vendors will also be on hand for the celebration preceding the anticipated baseball competition the following week.
According to its website, the American Legion World Series is a six-day youth baseball tournament held every August in Shelby. Cleveland County ALWS Baseball Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded specifically to plan and implement the annual baseball tournament. This year's competition runs from August 14 to 19. It is one of four national world series in the country. Teams representing legion posts from across the United States meet on Veterans Field and compete in a pool play tournament to crown a champion. This national event is more than just a baseball tournament, with specialty days dedicated to supporting military appreciation, youth athletics, and other causes. Last year, approximately 123,000 tickets were sold for the baseball series, including military personnel, veterans, and fans alike.